Waka Flocka Flame
by Believer on Jul.20, 2010, under Waka Flocka Flame
Juaquin Malphurs, better known by the stage name Waka Flocka Flame, is an American rapper originally from New York City.
Malphurs was born in July 1986 in Jamaica, Queens, New York City. His mother, Debra Antney, is the CEO of So Icey/Mizay Entertainment and the manager of rapper and hip hop artist (and Malphurs’ bandmate) Gucci Mane.
Malphurs took an interest in music from a young age and by his early teens – by which time his family had moved to Riverdale, Georgia – he was already rapping in public. He was given the name Waka by a cousin and the name Flame by his friend and future bandmate Gucci Mane.
The rapper released a series of mixtapes in 2009 and early 2010. His first was Lebron Flocka James (ft. DJ Teknikz), but this was soon followed by Shootin The Breeze Cookin That Fire (ft. DJ Cannon, DJ Banyon and DJ Dyce), Salute Me Or Shoot Me (ft. Trap-A-Holics and DJ Ace) and Lebron Flocka James 2 (ft. Trap-A-Holics). He started work on his debut solo album Murda-Man Flocka at the beginning of 2010 and, despite being shot in the arm by a robber in January, the album is still scheduled for release sometime later in the year. The lead single, O Let’s Do It, was released in June and reached the Top 10 on the US Billboard Rap Songs chart, as well as charting at 62 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart.
Since early 2010 Malphurs has also been a member of the rap group 1017 Brick Squad – also featuring Gucci Mane, OJ Da Juiceman, Frenchie and Wooh Da Kid – and they are currently producing their first mixtape. Most recently, Malphurs has appeared on Lil Jon’s debut solo album Crunk Rock, rapping on the single Throw It Up, Pt. 2 (Remix).
